As Time Goes By - MHB Sequel - Ross Lynch/R5 Fanfic

Chapter 16 - We'll Miss You

Chapter 16

Ashley-

Today is the day. The day Ross is leaving for the deployment. It’s going to be hard for all of us to say goodbye to him. It really is going to be. Especially for the kids. They’re so close to him, and they won’t be able to see him for two years of their lives.

The car ride to the airport is silent, besides the occasional stir from Jewel, but Carter settles her. I stare out of the passenger side’s window, watching as the trees fly by as Ross drives down the highway, Mom, Dad, and everyone else behind us in the van. I remove my gaze from the outside, to inside the car, turning my head, to stare at Ross. I observe his facial features. I’ll miss them around the house, that’s for sure.

~~~

We all stand quiet, wishing Ross could stay. He walks down the line, saying his goodbyes.

Ross-

I start saying goodbye to Mom, and tears pool at her eyelids.

“Please don’t cry, Mom,” I say in a pleading tone. “I couldn’t bear to see you like that.” She takes me into her arms, her head against my shoulder, and her tears soaking my camouflage uniform. I complete her embrace.

We both pull away gently after a minute or so. “I love you, Mom.”

“My baby boy,” Mom wipes away some stray tears. “I love you too. So, so much.”

I say my goodbyes to everyone else, Carter, Annabelle, and make it to the end of the line to Ashley and Jewel.

I stare down at them, my hand caressing Jewel’s soft cheek as she lays in her pink blanket in Ashley’s arms.

Ashley-

I watch as Ross caresses Jewel’s cheek in my arms, then turns his gaze to me. I couldn’t help but feel the tears stinging at my eyes.

“I’ll miss you,” I whisper, biting the tears away. “I know, I will too. But time will fly by, and I promise I’ll make it home safe and sound.”

I nod, holding back tears as Ross leans down, bringing me into a hug as best as he can with Jewel between us. We pull away softly after a minute.

“Flight G34 ready to board,” the intercom announces.

Ross looks down at me still, then leans down to connect our lips softly, our kiss lasting a good two minutes or so until we pull away, Ross collecting his bags.

“B-bye, Ross.” I say shakily, and he sighs slightly, kissing my forehead. “I love you.” He starts to walk through the terminal.

“No, Daddy! Don’t leave!” Annabelle cries, running after Ross, clinging to his side as she starts to cry.

“Belle,” Carter peels her off his leg. “Dad has to go. He’ll be back in no time. He has to go now, though.”

She continues to cry, and Ross’ expression as he watches her is showing pain, but he waves to everyone, then turning and walking into the terminal until we couldn’t see him at all anymore.

I wipe my eyes as Rydel comes to stand beside me. “I’m gonna miss him, that’s for sure.”

“Same here, Dels,” I softly say, looking longingly in the direction Ross had just been walking. “It’s going to be so different without him. It’s not going to be the same.”

“I know,” she agrees. “But I bet the two years will fly by in no time.”

I hope she’s right.

~~~

“How are things with you and Ross?” Sandra asks a month after Ross has left, and I smile sadly.

“We’re okay,” I say. “He just left about a month ago overseas for a deployment.” She nods in surprise. “Oh really? How did the kids take it?” I sigh. “Not great, but okay. They’re both really close to him.”

“When is he supposed to be back?”

“In about two years’ time. But about the fights, there wasn’t anything major at that end of things. It’s gotten a lot better, but still here and there occasionally.”

The session goes from there, and finally, I start to drive home. When I arrive, Carter immediately greets me in the front entrance.

“Hey Mom,” He says. “Jewel’s sleeping, and Belle’s just downstairs. I made something for you to eat, it’s in the dining room.”

“Thank you, C.” I thank him, bringing him into a hug. “Why don’t you go relax? You should; and thank you for looking after Jewel and Belle for me.”

He nods, a light smile on his lips, looking just like Ross, walking off in the direction of the living room, as I head into the dining room to see a plate of spaghetti and garlic toast on a side plate set out. I smile lightly as I sit down, digging in.

Carter-

I watch the TV blankly as the commercials change before my eyes. I finally feel my phone vibrate in the pocket of my jeans, so I slip it out.

‘Ariel: How’re u feeling C?xo’

I know Ariel is only asking this because ever since Dad left, I haven’t been myself. It’s so different without him around the house. He’ll miss everything. Like Jewel’s first steps. Her first words. And what if he doesn’t make it back home? The thought makes tears sting at my eyes, but I blink them away.

‘Hey Ar :* i’m feeling okay, wbu?xo’

‘Mom and Dad are always being all kissy bleh xp’

This text from her makes me chuckle slightly.

‘Well look who’s talking Ar… ;p’

‘Oh whatever  -.-  why’re u always right?’

‘I just am ;)’

Our conversation ends there, and I lean back into the couch cushion, my hand finding my blonde hair, running through it.

“Can you feed her for me, C? I’m really sorry. I’ll make it up to you.” Mom places Jewel in my arms as she cries quietly, and a bottle. I see that her eyes are a little puffy, so I nod as she walks out of the room.

I put the tip of the bottle at Jewel’s lips, and she opens, immediately starting to suckle. She takes one of my fingers that’s holding her bottle into her tiny hand, squeezing it, but I barely feel it.

Lately, I feel like I’ve been the ‘man of the house.’ But I guess I will be until Dad gets back.

---

A/N: Hi hi hi!

What do you think about Ross leaving? Will he make it home safe?

Leave your thoughts :D

Love you all,

~Ashley xx